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Overview of 800 Mhz Reconfiguration:
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The FCC's Solution
The FCC's Solution
On August 6, 2004, the FCC released a Report and Order (R&O) (PDF)
establishing a two-pronged solution to address 800 MHz interference problems
in both the short-term and the long-term. The FCC has released additional
guidance on the 800 MHz solution in a Supplemental Order on December 22,
2004 (PDF)
and in the October 5, 2005 Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O) (PDF).
Please note that the MO&O is subject to pending petitions for reconsideration at the FCC.
The first prong of the FCC's solution is the creation of a technical standard for determining whether an 800 MHz licensee is entitled to interference protection and related procedures for avoiding and eliminating harmful interference. The second prong, the long-term solution, involves reconfiguration of the 800 MHz Band to separate generally incompatible high-site and low-site technologies.
The FCC's R&O is designed to provide an effective and equitable solution with minimal disruption to users of the 800 MHz Band. Sprint Nextel will pay all reasonable and prudent expenses directly related to the retuning of an 800 MHz system, and relocated licensees will receive comparable facilities when they reconfigure. The TA was created to help licensees during the reconfiguration process and ensure that reconfiguration proceeds as smoothly and rapidly as possible. Reconfiguration of the 800 MHz Band is scheduled to be completed in 2008.
As shown below in Figure 1, the new 800 MHz Band Plan places NPSPAC users in the lower portion of the 800 MHz Band and commercial cellular-type systems in the upper portion of the 800 MHz Band, separated by:
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the 809-815/854-860 MHz interleaved band of mixed-use spectrum designated for public safety, business, and other high-site users, |
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an "Expansion Band" to be used primarily by business and Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) licensees, and |
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a "Guard Band" where any 800 MHz licensee can elect to move, with less strict interference protection requirements, that is located next to the ESMR Band. |
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Figure 1:
800 MHz Band Reconfiguration
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Southeastern United States Band Plan
As shown in Figure 1 above, there is a slightly different 800 MHz Band plan for certain areas in the Southeastern United States (sometimes known as the "Appendix G area"). The ESMR portion of the 800 MHz Band is expanded in the Southeastern U.S. and is located at 813.5-824 MHz/858.5-869 MHz. The Expansion Band in the Southeastern U.S. is located at 812.5-813.5 MHz/857.5-858.5 MHz (except that within a 70-mile radius of Atlanta, the Expansion Band is reduced to one megahertz at 813-813.5 MHz/858-858.5 MHz). There is no Guard Band in the Southeastern U.S.
The Southeastern U.S. Band Plan affects licensees in certain counties in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Potentially affected licensees should consult the Second Erratum to the R&O (PDF) for additional information.
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